2000 Louis Jadot Volnay 1er Cru Clos de la Barre- France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru (4/6/2019)
Popped and decanted due to crumbly cork to accompany roast chicken with fennel. Medium ruby color. Fresh nose of cranberry, sea air, violets, damp soil. Crisp, tart, brambly red raspberry and mulberry fruit on the palate with lots of sap and almost crunchy texture. Bright acidity and firm but filed-off tannin to balance. Long finish of red cherry fruit cut with fine iron particles and stony grip. Energetic, delicious wine caught in its prime. Found ourselves repeatedly looking at the vintage and label, and commenting “This is really good”. (92 pts.)
Last couple of 2000 grand crus tried were a Jean Raphet Clos Vougeot sampled in November 2018 (rated 91) and a Domaine Dujac Charmes tasted November 2017 (also rated 91) which was tasted young and took 2 hours to open.
1999 Clos de la Barre was very good, quite pretty and structured.
Cracked a 2000 Denis Mortet Gevrey En Champs last night that was right in the zone. 2000 is a vintage that with hindsight I bought far too sparingly.
I have had so many pleasant surprises with the 2000 vintage that I regard it now as a treasure trove and reload whenever I can.
Actually no surprises but almost becoming the rule - people often damned 2000 as an off-vintage (unjustifiedly), but the (good) wines were always good, have filled out nicely when maturing and are now drinking in their prime …
Not what I would call a great vintage - but really good and now giving a lot of pleasure.